General Motors Place

General Motors Place. It was a premier multi-purpose arena located in the downtown core of Vancouver, British Columbia. Opened in 1995, it served as the home venue for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and the Vancouver Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. The arena was a central hub for major sports, entertainment, and cultural events in Western Canada until its closure and subsequent demolition.

History

The development of the arena was spearheaded by Arthur Griffiths, whose company Northwest Sports Enterprises sought to provide a modern replacement for the aging Pacific Coliseum. Groundbreaking occurred in 1993 on a site adjacent to BC Place Stadium, with the project managed by PCL Construction. Its opening coincided with Vancouver's growing international profile following Expo 86 and the city's selection to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. The arena's early years were marked by the arrival of the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995, though the team relocated to Memphis in 2001. Ownership later transferred to John McCaw Jr. and Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment. Following the 2010 Winter Olympics, where it was renamed Canada Hockey Place and hosted ice hockey events, the venue's naming rights expired, leading to its rebranding.

Design and features

Designed by the architectural firm Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects, the exterior featured a distinctive curved glass and steel facade. The structural engineering was handled by Read Jones Christoffersen, utilizing innovative techniques to support the large roof span. Inside, the bowl design prioritized sightlines, with seating configurations accommodating over 18,000 for NHL games. Premium amenities included extensive luxury suites, club seats, and the exclusive Club 500 restaurant. The arena incorporated advanced technology for its time, including a massive center-hung scoreboard and sophisticated acoustics designed for concerts. Its location within the False Creek area provided picturesque views and integrated it into the city's entertainment district near Rogers Arena and BC Place.

Notable events

The arena hosted a wide array of significant events beyond regular season games for the Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Grizzlies. It was the site of the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, bringing global attention to the city. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, as Canada Hockey Place, it witnessed the historic gold medal victory of the Canadian men's national ice hockey team over the United States men's national ice hockey team. Major concert tours by artists such as The Rolling Stones, U2, and Madonna performed there. The venue also hosted family shows like Disney on Ice, professional wrestling events from WWE, and the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Naming and sponsorship

The arena's naming rights were secured through a landmark sponsorship deal with the General Motors automobile corporation, a common practice in North American sports venues like the United Center and American Airlines Arena. The agreement was a significant source of revenue for the franchise ownership. In 2010, following the expiration of the General Motors contract and the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Olympics, telecommunications giant Rogers Communications acquired the naming rights. This led to the venue being renamed Rogers Arena, a change that coincided with renovations and updates to the facility under the continued ownership of Canucks Sports & Entertainment.

See also

* Rogers Arena * List of NHL arenas * Vancouver Canucks * 2010 Winter Olympics * NBA All-Star Game

Category:Sports venues in Vancouver Category:Defunct ice hockey venues in Canada Category:1995 establishments in British Columbia